Landscape Architecture
New York City's Ever-Evolving Union Square
Controversy surrounds a $20 million redesign of New York City's Union Square Park.
Revisiting the Future of Ecotopia
Ecotopia is a '70s cult novel that imagines a future where the Pacific Northwest secedes from the U.S. to become an environmentally-conscious utopian state. The NY Times reflects on the influence of this under-recognized novel.
An Architectural Beacon of Hope in Skid Row
On the edge of Los Angeles' Skid Row, a gleaming white arts complex opens. A "stubborn declaration of hope," the center is intended to show architecture's power to create community.
Duany Improves on Thomas Jefferson
Planner Andres Duany proposes a plan for Goodbee Square, near Covington, LA, that adds modern light-imprint urbanism to an old Jeffersonian idea.
A Plan for Hudson Park
Hudson Park and Boulevard is a new 4-acre system of parks being created in New York. Landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates were selected to make their vision reality.
Not Your Typical Brick
Bricks have been a building staple for a long time, but the sky's the limit for their aesthetic uses.
City Tackles Coyotes
Austin officials are wrestling with how to confront coyotes encroaching on suburban and urban neighborhoods.
Clearing the Way for Mixed-Use, But Economy Puts Projects On Hold
The people of Salt Lake City have gotten behind the switch to mixed-use, and developers have been clearing away old sprawl. But the flailing economy has put projects on hold, leaving the city with a landscape full of holes.
From Garbage Hole to Park
Turning a New York landfill into a park may just reorganize the way people think about public parks in America.
L.A. Freeway Cap Park Edges Towards Feasibility
For years, citizens have been calling for a freeway cap and park in Hollywood. Now, a preliminary design has been released and advocates say work could begin as soon as 2012 -- if funding comes through.
A New 'Wave' On Toronto's Waterfront
Toronto has created new public space where there was none, building a curvy wooden plaza designer Adriaan Geuze calls a 'WaveDeck' directly over the water.
New Yorkers Still Oppose Park Redesign Already Underway
Plans to redesign New York City's Washington Square Park have been hotly protested by community members since their inception. The work is already underway, but the opposition sentiment remains.
'Firescaping' For Fire Safety
The first 'firescape' garden is in Santa Barbara, CA, and stands as an educational tool for landscaping homes for fire protection.
Concrete Poems
St. Paul, Minnesota's artist-in-residence has instituted a program where poems are imprinted into sidewalks throughout the city.
Landscape Architecture, Reinvented
Landscape architect James Corner pushes the envelope of the field to create innovative projects like The High Line Park in New York. 'There is a desperate need for a different kind of professional who isn’t so Balkanized.'
Backyard Transformed Into Pocket Park
Downtown Nantucket has acquired a Main St. residents backyard in a prime spot for a pocket park. Landscape architect David W. Bartsch dug in to create an historically correct park style.
How Frederick Law Olmsted Got the Central Park Job
If the Frederick Law Olmsted of 1857 offered to plan and manage your city’s central park, you probably wouldn’t hire him. The 35-year-old then was a farmer, journalist and former sailor with no formal training in architecture, engineering or any related field. Though he didn’t have much technical expertise, he had great leadership skills. Those gave him the opportunity to succeed, and helped him become successful, according to Leonardo Vazquez.
Americans Less Green Outdoors
The American Society of Landscape Architects has released a study revealing that while most adults practice energy-efficient strategies at home, they are considerably less green in their yards and lawns.
Van Der Rohe Plaza Adapted to Ward Off Skateboarders
In a privately-owned plaza designed by Mies van der Rohe in Toronto, owners have sliced into benches to dissuade skateboarding. Some call it an affront to the legendary designer's work.
Vancouver Seeks Identity Through Public Square
A contest sponsored by the Vancouver Public Space Network asks the public to find Vancouver's heart, a civic square that best defines the city. Sean Ruthen ponders the city's relationships to the each its primary squares now.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
